Espérance winger Mokwana hails team effort after Club World Cup lifeline
Esperance winger Elias Mokwana has hailed his side's collective response following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Los Angeles FC at the FIFA Club World Cup, a result that keeps the Tunisian giants in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages.
The South African forward was a lively presence throughout the Group D clash at GEODIS Park in Nashville and was quick to emphasise the importance of togetherness in bouncing back from their opening loss to Flamengo.
'We played as a team today, and we fixed the problems that we had for the last game,' Mokwana said after the match.
'We are grateful for the three points.'
Esperance struggled for rhythm in their first match against the Brazilian champions, falling 2-0.
But against LAFC, they showed greater organisation, discipline, and attacking purpose.
Their persistence paid off in the 70th minute when Youcef Belaili pounced on a loose ball in the box and rifled a low shot past Hugo Lloris to seal the win.
The result eliminated LAFC from the competition while moving Esperance level on points with Chelsea, setting up a decisive final group game in Philadelphia.
Mokwana's contributions were key in stretching LAFC's defence and helping Esperance gain the upper hand in wide areas—a crucial improvement from the previous match.
'We knew we had to come together, fight for each other and for our fans,' he added.
'Today we showed the kind of spirit it takes to win on this stage.'
Esperance now face Chelsea on Tuesday in a must-win encounter.
A victory would see them advance to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in the club's history.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
5 hours ago
- CAF
Lepasa grateful for TotalEnergies CAF CHAN lifeline
For Zakhele Lepasa, football has come full circle in a way he likely never imagined. The 27-year-old forward, recently listed as unattached after parting ways with Orlando Pirates, has been handed a lifeline in the form of a TotalEnergies CAF CHAN national team call-up. Included in coach Molefi Ntseki's 23-man squad announced by Bafana Bafana's local-based setup, Lepasa finds himself at a pivotal point in his career. 'You know what's crazy about CHAN? A lot of us players, when we play and we are regulars in our team, we tend to take CHAN and an opportunity like that for granted,' Lepasa said honestly. 'Until a situation like this comes, where you haven't played for a while, and you understand how important it is.' The former Pirates striker, who didn't travel with the Soweto giants to Spain for pre-season and whose status was publicly noted as unattached when the CHAN squad was confirmed, is using this opportunity as a chance to reignite his career and reset mentally. 'Now it is as important as going to play in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, or go play in AFCON,' he added. 'So I'm yet to think about it to be honest, but I'm definitely happy. But for me it's not just about being happy, it's about seeing myself playing again, training well and playing again, and feel like myself again. So that's one thing I'm looking forward to.' Lepasa's return to the national setup arrives during a transitional phase, not just in his club career but in South African football as a whole. His comments shine a light on the deeper value of CHAN. His candour underscores how quickly things can shift in football. Once a consistent name on the Bucs' team sheet and a scorer in key fixtures, he now finds himself in the fight to rediscover rhythm, confidence, and relevance. While Lepasa's future at club level remains uncertain, his inclusion in the CHAN squad could serve as a crucial launchpad, not just to get minutes in the tank, but to remind South Africa, and perhaps the world, of the quality he still possesses.
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
Seoposenwe calls it a day, leaves WAFCON legacy
Tears of relief can be a thing. For Jermaine Seoposenwe, the end of the penalty shootout against Ghana in the third-place playoff at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 on Friday, was the end of her journey with the South African national women's football team. A 15-year journey in national team colours filled with pride, hard work and overall excellence is what will go down memory lane. So many told and untold stories along the way, teammates that became family, trips overseas and most importantly – the fulfilment of a childhood dream. Seoposenwe, who was born in Cape Town, was the first female to score a goal for South Africa at a World Cup in 2010 and has since grown into a crucial member for the Banyana Banyana. Cheeky off the field with her teammates, tough on the field of play against her opponents and sleek in her touch on the ball. Graceful after games regardless of the result. A treasure. Lasting legacy Every girl that loves and wants to play football dreams of representing her nation. For Seoposenwe, she realized this dream. In her glowing career with the Banyana Banyana, she scored the goal that took South Africa to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil which she also competed at, played at two FIFA Women's World Cups (2019 and 2023) as well as four WAFCON editions (2016, 2018, 2022 and 2025). And as South Africa's number 12 retires from international football after amassing 112 caps, she wraps up what has been an immense contribution to a golden generation of South African football. An inspiration to many a young girl and a downright trailblazer. Her former teammate and ex Banyana Banyana international Amanda Dlamini told CAFOnline that, 'She has had a very colourful and rewarding journey in the national team. When I met her, she was young, had raw talent and was very ambitious with a great fighting spirit. She's been able to maintain that over the years. Like many, she had her own challenges and experiences that I think shaped the amazing player and leader we have seen over the years stepping into the centenary club which is not easy. It means she's had to stand the test of time and show great consistency for the national team. She will be missed for her fearlessness on the park, her confidence and composure in the striking force.' Seoposenwe was part of the WAFCON 2022 winning squad that made history – finally breaking the jinx on the continent. The 28-year-old at the time netted twice in the tournament. Her first coming against perennial archrivals Nigeria in a 2-1 win in the opening Group C tie while her second goal was the all-important lone finish against Tunisia in the last eight to book a place in the semifinals. 'Obviously, I made that decision before the tournament and so coming into the tournament, I have been very settled, very calm. A lot of the players have joked with me about my legacy and all those things, but it's very interesting to be in that position. Obviously, in the past I wasn't that person but now I am and it's a responsibility that I've accepted. And I do appreciate it the way they see me and the leader that I've been for them. But for me, it's just been the sense of relief. I don't know if that's the word to use, but I also have a sense of calmness,' Seoposenwe explained in detail. Tributes from Desiree Ellis and Refiloe Jane From the coach and captain's corner, Seoposenwe can hold her head up high even though her last game in a Banyana Banyana jersey ensured that the defending champions finished fourth – missing the podium after a 3-4 loss to Ghana following a 1-1 draw after regular time. Both Ellis and Jane have alongside the entire players' squad and technical staff been supportive of Seoposenwe's decision before and during the competition in a holistic way. Whether it was in moments of joy or when the going got tough. Teamwork by all means. 'What a legacy she leaves behind! I have known Jermaine since the age of 15. She went to the 2010 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago, scored our first goal at the World Cup for a women's team. And in that same year, she played at the WAFCON in 2010 in South Africa. Two years later, she played at the London 2012 Olympics and then she played at the WAFCON 2012 in Equatorial Guinea. She was part of that squad that beat Nigeria in the semifinals where she got the silver medal at the age of 19! It says something about Jermaine,' Ellis explained in detail. 'Two successive World Cups, two successive Olympic Games, 2018 silver at the WAFCON, 2022 African champion, 2023 World Cup Round of 16 but there is so, so, so much to Jermaine. A fighter, a leader and someone who gave everything to take this team forward. I don't think we can thank her enough, but we honour her, and we carry her spirit with us. And to be honest, I don't think we have enough words to say thank you to Jermaine for everything that she's done. She's always stepped onto the field, gave her all on the field and that is who Jermaine is. Leaving everything out there, stepping up in 2022 when Thembi [Kgatlana] got injured after not being part of the team for a long while due to visa issues and that is who Jermaine is.' Jane, who has known Seoposenwe for over a decade and with whom the Banyana Banyana won the WAFCON 2022, spoke about her glorious career, 'Jermaine has been a very important figure in the team. From when she was still a teenager to now upon her retirement. She's contributed immensely on and off the field and she leaves an amazing legacy – one for upcoming players to look forward to and to carry on with that.' 'Obviously, we would have loved to give her a perfect sendoff, but we couldn't do it. I hope that she can be proud of the performance of the team throughout the tournament. We know that she still has a lot to offer to football. She might be done with the national team, but she is still going to continue playing football and so much is still to be learnt from her.' South Africa finished fourth at the TotalEnergies WAFCON 2024 in Morocco. What Next? Seoposenwe, who features for CF Monterrey in the Mexican topflight league, will continue featuring at club level. The 31-year-old has played at home in South Africa for the University of Western Cape as well as played in leagues in Lithuania, Spain, Portugal before heading to Mexico. Three continents and Seoposenwe continues shining. Dlamini who is also a member of the 100+ caps with South Africa and is currently working as a broadcaster said, 'I think she's established herself very well outside of being in the national team, so she still has plenty seasons to play at club level.' 'She has a degree and surely big plans for the future. But she should know that she will have to work hard for herself when there's no support of people doing things for her like the football environment does. Everything is done for you (laughs). She should learn to pivot at every juncture as she is yet to discover so much about herself. It's about building a network of people who will be able to hold you up outside of your family, that support structure will always and there but community is equally important in this space.' Seoposenwe holds a Marketing Degree from Samford University in Alabama.
Al-Ahram Weekly
a day ago
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Liverpool beaten 4-2 by AC Milan in Hong Kong pre-season friendly - World
Former Chelsea midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored as Premier League champions Liverpool were beaten 4-2 by AC Milan on Saturday in a pre-season friendly in Hong Kong. Liverpool, with record signing Florian Wirtz making his first start, dominated possession under the closed roof at Kai Tak Stadium but a shaky defence was punished for all four Milan goals. Rafael Leao opened the scoring for the Italian side on 10 minutes with Dominik Szoboszlai's superb strike equalising 16 minutes later to make it 1-1 at half-time But Loftus-Cheek, six minutes after the break, and two goals from substitute Noah Okafor, either side of Cody Gakpo's late header, gave AC Milan the victory. Liverpool's Hong Kong fans vastly outnumbered those supporting AC Milan in the 49,704 sellout crowd. They paid a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota, who passed away earlier this month in a car crash. Flowers were laid by Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish in front of fans, who responded by holding up a mosaic spelling out "DJ20" in honour of Jota's number 20 shirt, which has been retired by the club. Leao, too, remembered his fellow Portuguese player Jota as he offered a silent prayer and formed the number 20 with his fingers after scoring the opener. Wirtz played 45 minutes and looked comfortable directing operations, showing hints of why Bayer Leverkusen were paid a reported British transfer record $150 million for the German playmaker. Other new Liverpool signings left-back Milos Kerkez and right-back Jeremie Frimpong both came on as substitutes at half-time. But Striker Hugo Ekitike, who was signed from Entracht Frankfurt for a reported $92 million, was not ready to take part, having only flown in to join his new teammates two days earlier. Liverpool started without a recognised central striker as Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who have both been linked to move away from Anfield, were left out of the matchday squad. Liverpool will now fly to Japan to face Yokohama F-Marinos on Wednesday. Liverpool revealed earlier that full-back Joe Gomez had flown home for treatment on a minor Achilles problem. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
